Albatross D.III - Oooooooooo I'm in Luv!

[jismail]

Just finished my Maxford Albatross and maidened it this weekend.

http://www.maxfordusa.com/albatrosd-iiiep40arf.aspx

Wow, what a bird. The detail is very nice. It was tough to assemble without breaking little detail pieces off the motor... many of the balsa rockers broke off, but I was able to re-attach them all.

It was more involved as an assembly then I expected, but went together well. The kit is very nicely done and was packaged exceptionaly well so not breakage from shipping occured.

I went with a wood 10x6 prop, 2200mah lipo, and a 480 outrunner 1050KV I had lying around and it fit without any hassles. The hardest part for assembly was trying to fish the servo wires through the wing. Still not to bad.

On my maiden, I almost bought the farm on take off. Even with the COG set correctly, the bird went straight into a full loop on takeoff! I had abotu 10 seconds of sheer terror as it took my that long to get control of the looping and pitching monster. How I kept it out of the dirt is a wonder to me... but once I got the elevater trimed with tons of down pitch, it leveled out and flew nicely.

It handled well, looped and rolled with not effort, but did tend to crab abit on banks, almost like I had rudder mixing on even though I don't.

After my maiden, I took the bird back to the roost and promptly added a shim to the motor to try to offset some of the down elevator trim I need to get it to fly level.

Cant wait until next weekend!

Here she is:

[7car7]

It is a cool plane, and will fly nicely, as I've seen one in person.

Just curious, how did you decide that the problem was more down thrust needed, as oposed to being tail heavy?

[dogsheep]

I bought a Maxford model at the recent NW fair and had a bit of fun: the Chinese fellow manning the booth sold me a model and then asked if I needed a motor, saying, "I have a nice one from Uranus."

Well, I thought he was joking, and said something like, "I think not."

Anyway, when I went to the web site, later, there it was, a motor from "Uranus!"

I know love is grand and all that, but did you clean the little guy's flight suit out?

[jismail]

Originally Posted by 7car7

It is a cool plane, and will fly nicely, as I've seen one in person.

Just curious, how did you decide that the problem was more down thrust needed, as oposed to being tail heavy?

Primarily because I checked CoG and it is spot on, and when I cut power, it levels out.

[dai phan]

Hi,

Do you have any problems with the motor mount as reported? I still have not put mine together until this problem is sorted out. I can fly the PZ Trojan T-28 without problems so is this plane within my ability to handle? DP

[dogsheep]

Buy a motor from Uranus!

[jismail]

Originally Posted by dai phan

Hi,

Do you have any problems with the motor mount as reported? I still have not put mine together until this problem is sorted out. I can fly the PZ Trojan T-28 without problems so is this plane within my ability to handle? DP

I did not have any motor mount issues, but I did make sure to put a good bead of glue all around the end of the firewall prior to closing things up.... just in case.

My eflite 480 outrunner with a 10x6 wood prop had no issues at all.

As for skill level required.... I think you will be fine but just remember to be a little lighter in the contols as it is quick to respond if the throws are set to full range.

[oldnewpilot]

Super looking aircraft. Just assembling mine now. Having problems with recommended servos installation in the wings. Seem the servos are too thick and cause upper wing covering to bulge up when servo in place. Anyone run into this situation?

[WWI Ace]

I LOVE the plane but I hate the looks of the shock absorbing landing gear!!! Steve

[Gofer303]

I just got one in the mail today as it was a trade deal (whats behind door # 3) I did not know what was coming. After looking at this plane I really want to put it together right Just ordered my electronics from subsonicplanes.com Ken always has a lot of info for me and a good deal. All info and advice welcome thanks in advance.
Larry

[Gofer303]

Isn't anyone on this anymore? The set up I am gettting is a Motrolfly 2215-1150 with reverse shaft, APC 9x6 E prop, and 2 11.1 1300mah 25c batteries. is this a good match for the plane ?

[brutus251]

Ive had mine ready to go for over a year, 18 months I believe! I swear someone does not want me to maiden it,every time Ive decided to try, the weather or some other problem pops up.Its been to the field twice ,once I forgot the lipos for it on the bench and the second time out of no where it started to rain and kept raining all day.Every other time just did not work out for some reason. Id love to get this one flying.Ill check to see what Ive got for a power system and get back to you,mine did need a 2200 plus some lead to CG properly. Brutus

[racie34]

today's a good day in RI Brutus

[brutus251]

You bet,its 50 + degrees out and it looks like perfect flying weather as I look out the stores front window while Im working.......... Brutus

[Gofer303]

Brutus
Thanks for the info I still have mine in the box got the batteries,esc,motor,props all together now and I need to get started. All I have read about this plane and the videos suggest that I will have a seasoned instructor at the field check it over and fly it first. The videos show it almost going into a ground loop on take off and the posts about the spinner being delicate is kinda iffy. But what the heck it is for flying and as long as I do not try to get too far ahead of myself it should be fine to fly. BTW winds up to 25 mph and high temp of 31 was today's wx. Larry

[dcwwcp]

I'm making an albatros D.V and I'm looking for some information on the dummy motor that comes with the Maxford albatros D.III.

Is there any way you could measure the length of the engine from the front of the first cylinder to the back of the last cylinder?
Basically measuring the row of cylinders.

I'm curious to know the actual scale of the motor, and that would be a tremendous help.

thank you very much

~don

[brutus251]

Don,Ill be happy to do it when I get back home from visiting the relatives in a day or two if noone gets to it first. Happy New Year.

[Gofer303]

Originally Posted by dcwwcp

I'm making an albatros D.V and I'm looking for some information on the dummy motor that comes with the Maxford albatros D.III.

Is there any way you could measure the length of the engine from the front of the first cylinder to the back of the last cylinder?
Basically measuring the row of cylinders.

I'm curious to know the actual scale of the motor, and that would be a tremendous help.

thank you very much

~don

The motor is appx 6 inches long by 1/2 in wide I would open the package up but seeing as I have decided to sell or trade this kit I wont. I have attached a picture hope it helps you.
Larry

[dcwwcp]

is that the row of cylinders, or the whole thing?

I don't have anything I can reference the whole thing to. my drawing just gives a measurement for the row of cylinders.

thanks
~don

[Gofer303]

Originally Posted by dcwwcp

is that the row of cylinders, or the whole thing?

I don't have anything I can reference the whole thing to. my drawing just gives a measurement for the row of cylinders.

thanks
~don

At the end of the motor is a round almost 1/2 inch protrusion on each end that would fit in the frame. did you try the website to see if they have a better description or spare parts listing that has a blow up ? The round part that the whole motor is built on is below the top of the plane.

[dcwwcp]

unfortunately, that won't do me much good. I'm waiting for a reply from maxford, to the same question.

the only real measurement that I could use to calculate the scale of the dummy motor is the row of cylinder, outside to outside.

I do appreciate you taking the time to try and help.

[Gofer303]

Originally Posted by dcwwcp

unfortunately, that won't do me much good. I'm waiting for a reply from maxford, to the same question.

the only real measurement that I could use to calculate the scale of the dummy motor is the row of cylinder, outside to outside.

I do appreciate you taking the time to try and help.

Don
A rough measurement is close to 4 1/2 inches long from front outside of cylinder to rear outside of cylinder. I found a small enough ruler to get close with.
hope this helps some!
Larry

[dcwwcp]

awsome!

so that's 1/9.43 scale to be exact. my simprop albatros body is 1/10 scale almost exactly.

so the difference is about 8mm or approx. 5/16"

man that's pretty close!

the maxford dummy motor is fairly expensive at $30.00 plus shipping, but it would save me a ton of time as opposed to building my own.
It is the best looking pre-made mercedes D.III dummy motor you can buy right now. not to mention the only one I think!

thank you very much for taking the time to measure again. that was exactly what I needed!

thanks
~don

[Rockin Robbins]

Incredible plane! I've always loved the Albatross in all its models. Whew! That is an ultimate RC plane for sure.

[Gofer303]

Don my pleasure Maxford USA als0o has a new spinner for around 25.00 there is where they make the money !
R R the kit I have is for sale on RC Universe would like to trade for a good DLE 20 or equivalent check it out or make a cash offer.
Larry